Who practices low-level laser therapy?
Your pet will receive their cold laser treatment from a trained animal rehabilitation therapist (ART) at Integrative Pet Care. She
may incorporate the low-level laser into other forms of therapy such as
therapeutic massage or therapeutic exercise, or it may be done
independently. Guidelines for low-level laser sessions are recommended by Integrative Pet Care's veterinarians upon evaluation. For optimal results and safety, laser therapy should only be practiced by a qualified certified animal rehabilitation therapist or veterinarian. (Read more about our staff's training and qualifications)
What conditions are most often treated with low-level laser therapy?
Low-level
laser can be used to treat a myriad of conditions but within the realm
of rehabilitation is used mainly on musculoskeletal injuries, soft
tissue injuries (sprains and strains) and arthritis. It also helps to release tight muscles, stimulate nerve regeneration, reduce inflammation and aid in pain management.
How can my pet benefit from low-level laser therapy?
If
your pet has sustained an injury, undergone orthopedic surgery, or
suffers from arthritis or other painful conditions, they may be a
candidate for low-level laser therapy. The low-level laser not only speeds the healing process but affects the overall quality of the repaired tissue. Muscle,
tendon and ligament injuries require increased collagen production for
successful healing and the low-level laser stimulates this function. The light also increases vascular growth and dilation for improved circulation in pets that may have limited movement. Pets experiencing pain from their condition may find relief from cold laser treatments. The
biochemical effect of the low-level laser boosts the body's production
of endorphins. Low-level laser therapy is another great way to treat the
source of the pain, thereby making it less likely that your pet will
need additional pain reducing medication
How successful is low-level laser therapy?
Because
low-level laser therapy has a cumulative effect, for best results
treatments should be done at the frequency recommended by your
Integrative Pet Care veterinarian. Low-level laser therapy
is often recommended in conjunction with other modalities to provide
the best outcome and may be used as either a primary or complimentary
therapy.
How safe is low-level laser therapy?
Low-level laser therapy is very safe when done properly. To ensure that laser therapy is done only in cases where it is appropriate, an exam is first done by a veterinarian. The veterinarian will then provide the specifics for the application of the cold laser. Although
the term "laser" may conjure up images of the high-powered version
sometimes used in surgical settings, the low-level laser causes no
temperature change to the patient during or after the treatment and
there is no risk of burning. Protective eye wear is required during application of the low-level laser and one should not look directly at the laser light. Laser
therapy should not be used in certain patients with that are pregnant
or that have cancer, as it stimulates cell growth and does not
differentiate between healthy and cancerous cells.
Can low-level laser therapy be combined with other types of veterinary medicine?
Low-level laser therapy can be, and often is, combined with other types of veterinary medicine. Because
low-level laser decreases pain and enhances circulation, your
Integrative Pet Care veterinarian may choose to use the cold laser in
conjunction with other forms of therapy to enhance the benefits of those
therapies. In general, low-level laser therapy integrates well into a
treatment plan that utilizes either traditional or alternative forms of
veterinary medicine. If your companion animal is receiving low-level
laser therapy from a practitioner other than your regular veterinarian,
it is imperative that both individuals are kept updated about the
ongoing treatment in order to provide coordinated care of your pet, to
allow proper evaluation of treatment and to minimize any avoidable
interactions or interferences. At Integrative Pet Care our
veterinarians, who are well-trained and versed in a variety of rehab
modalities including low-level laser therapy, collaborate with the pet's
primary care veterinarian to appropriately coordinate care.
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